First Friday after verdict marks major shift
Friday’s events at the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex marked the first time in more than 20 years that Hindu worship replaced Friday namaz at the site, following the May 15 Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling declaring it a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Hindu groups, including the Bhoj Utsav Samiti, organised bhajan-kirtans and a ‘maha aarti’ under heavy security, with devotees describing the day as historically significant. The ASI’s May 16 order implemented the court’s decision, granting Hindus unrestricted daily worship rights.
Muslim community’s constitutional protest
In response to the verdict and the administration’s cancellation of Friday namaz at the complex, Muslim residents offered prayers at home wearing black bands, closed shops, and posted images online as a peaceful protest. Leaders like Abdul Samad emphasised respect for the Constitution while voicing dissatisfaction with the ruling, and confirmed that a petition challenging the verdict had been filed in the Supreme Court. They also raised concerns over activities at the site allegedly inconsistent with the court’s directions. Newsable Asianet News + 4
Security and administrative measures to maintain peace
Authorities deployed between 1,800 and 2,000 personnel, including RAF and STF units, across Dhar, with drone surveillance, CCTV, vehicle checks, and flag marches to prevent unrest. Police enforced the High Court’s directives ‘in letter and spirit’, allowing only permitted rituals and cancelling programmes deemed potentially disruptive. The SP’s public warning to troublemakers and peace committee meetings underscored the administration’s focus on avoiding communal clashes.
Legal and political implications beyond Dhar
The High Court’s reliance on ASI findings, historical records, and the Ayodhya judgment framework to redefine Bhojshala’s religious character has sparked debate over its impact on the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and minority rights. Muslim organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami Hind warned of risks to secularism and judicial credibility, while Hindu petitioners sought further access and removal of Islamic symbols. With the Supreme Court appeal pending, the case may influence other contested religious sites and inter-community trust in democratic institutions.
C. MSN
